About Dog Breeds

It seems there are as many breeds as there are snowflakes, and just like snowflakes, no two breeds are exactly alike. Check them out.

American Kennel Club Breed Lists

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) complete breed list, the club recognizes approximately 170 dog breeds as of June 2011. The club also lists approximately 15 Foundation Stock Service breeds that are nearing official recognition, as well as anoth 47 breeds working toward eventual recognition. The club updates this list each time breeds are recognized or move closer to official recognition. Pictures of each breed are featured on the AKC web site.

Different Breeds, Different Purposes

Each breed was bred for a different purpose, and the appearance of each breed often reflects that purpose. According to the AKC standard for each of the following breeds:

• Bloodhounds and Basset Hounds were both bred to have an incredible ability to detect scent. As a result, these dogs characteristically have long, hanging ears and a series of wrinkles on the face and/or chest that help gather scent as the dog moves and keep it near the dog's nose.
• The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to retrieve from the water, so these dogs actually have webbed toes that help them swim more efficiently. Their coats are quite thick and water-repellent in order to protect the dogs from hypothermia when working in cold water.
• The Irish Water Spaniel was bred to be a hunting dog that would also retrieve water fowl. It has a dense curly coat that keeps the body warm when wet.
• The Shih Tzu was developed to be a prized house pet of Chinese royalty, including no less than the Emperor himself. These dogs have glamorous, long coats, beautiful, big dark eyes that convey a soft, sweet expression, and very loving and devoted personalities. They make wonderful family companions.

These are just a few examples, but they show the kind of diversity you'll find amongst dog breeds across the board.

Interesting Dog Breed Facts

• According to Guinness World Records, the smallest living dog in 2006 was a Chihuahua named Heaven Sent Brandy that measured just six inches long..
• According to their breed standards, the tallest breeds are the Irish Wolfhound and the Scottish Deerhound. Males of these breeds are bred to stand around 32 inches tall at the shoulder.
• The Saluki is perhaps the oldest recorded breed, at least according to the AKC.
• A Mastiff named Zorba was one of the heaviest dogs in the world, weighing in at 343 pounds.
• The Basenji is the only dog that is naturally barkless.

Official AKC Dog Breeds

The AKC's complete breeds list always offers the most current accounting of dog breeds. The following table lists the majority of currently recognized breeds and offers a further look at just how diverse the canine world truly is.

Find the Right Dog Breed for You

Since each breed was bred for a certain purpose, each breed has its own personality and physical characteristics. You want to ensure that the breed you choose fits your personality, needs and lifestyle. The web has several different quizzes to help you determine which breed is best for you. Most dog breed quizzes include questions like:

• What size dog would you like?
• What energy level do you want your dog to have?
• How much exercise can you provide your new dog?
• How playful do you want the dog to be?
• How much affection do you want from your dog?
• Do you need your dog to be friendly toward other pets?
• How much time do you want to put into training your dog?
• Do you want a fiercely protective dog or more mild-mannered dog?
• How much time do you want to dedicate to grooming your dog?
• Do you need your dog to tolerate hot and cold weather?
• How much money do you have to invest in your dog each year for food, toys and vet bills?
• Do you want to do any special activities with your dog, such as agility training, obedience trials or therapy work?
• Do you need your dog to be good with children?
• What size yard do you have, if any?
• Have you owned a dog in the past?

Once you think you've found the right breed, learn how to select a healthy, well-adjusted pup with LTK Dog's Choosing a Puppy Quiz. Dogs can bring joy into your life, but you want to make sure that you are prepared for the rigors of the breed entrusted to your care. Once you've completed the appropriate research and you know how to choose the right puppy, you'll be ready to share your life with a little bundle of barking joy.

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